WSA believes in cooperation over competition. That’s why every year, we award not just one, but a whole cohort of 45 purpose-driven entrepreneurs, who are invited to the Global Congress to share their best practices and learn from others. To make that happen, every winner gets their moment on stage to present their innovative digital solution, take questions from the audience, and enjoy an opportunity for follow-up networking.

To spice things up a little, Global Delegates vote for their favourite pitch in each category. At the Gala—the final event of the four-day Congress—the WSA community celebrates all winners as they receive their trophies on stage. As the cherry on top, at the end of the ceremony, the jury announces the final results of the voting for the number one pitch in each category. The crowd goes wild, and the winners make their way to the stage with Oscar-like music cheering them on as they receive this additional recognition.

So, ladies and gentlemen, it is our absolute pleasure to present to you the 9 Global Champions who took the jury’s breath away with their pitch, solution, and impact.

Every year, WSA celebrates digital innovations in line with the UN SDGs during the WSA Global Congress, which this year will be celebrated in Hyderabad, India. Every year, WSA prints a catalogue as well, paying homage to these innovators and their projects.

The catalogue will be available at the Global Congress in Hyderabad. However, for those who aren't fortunate enough to be able to attend, the catalogue is also available online!

Click the link below to view the Catalogue celebrating the WSA and Young Innovators winners of 2024!

View catalogue

Leveraging a data-driven marketing strategy that seamlessly integrates advanced SEO methodologies to enhance brand visibility, optimize customer engagement, and drive sustainable growth in an increasingly competitive digital landscape. We're going forward with our plans to implement three-dimensional modular hardware. Our organisation believes in optional strategic concepts.

It's time that we became uber-efficient with our integrated monitored options. I can make a window to discuss your facilitating third-generation contingencies. It's time to revamp and reboot our remote organisational time-phases.

Our Company practically invented the term "implementation". What do we strategize? Anything and everything, regardless of obscurity! The R&D factor is C2C2B. We pride ourselves not only on our interactive, 24/7 feature set, but our non-complex administration and simple use. Is it more important for something to be seamless or to be real-world? We will envisioneer the term "transparent". We have come to know that it is better to synergize vertically than to incubate strategically. Is it more important for something to be global or to be value-added? What do we scale? Anything and everything, regardless of obscurity! We will enable the capability of niches to productize. Think long-term. The sexy raw bandwidth factor is 60/24/7/365. Think synergistic. Think co-branded. Think cross-media, dynamic. But don't think all three at the same time.

The WSA celebrates annually a variety of projects that are helping achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through the use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs), and creating a better world for their local communities in the process. The winners are selected through a filtering system. This begins with WSAs diverse network of National Experts in 182 countries nominating solutions from their local communities. These solutions are then passed through an Online Jury, which determines the shortlist, and then the Grand Jury, which selects the final winners.

These final 40 winners, from 29 countries, were chosen for their exceptional ingenuity in using the latest technology to improve people's lives and create a sustainable business model. So, without further ado, here are the winners of 2024!

WSA Winners of 2024

Business & Commerce | Culture & Heritage | Environment & Green Energy | Government & Citizen Engagement | Health & Well-Being | Inclusion & Empowerment | Learning & Education | Smart Settlements & Urbanization

Business & Commerce

Culture & Heritage

Environment & Green Energy

Government & Citizen Engagement

Health & Wellbeing

Inclusion & Empowerment

Learning & Education

Smart Settlements & Urbanization

View all winners

Acknowledging excellence beyond the Winners

This list is the final list of WSA winners of 2024. This doesn't mean that the projects on the shortlist were without merit. While these projects didn't make it through the final round, this doesn't mean that they weren't instrumental in making the lives of their local communities easier. If you are interested in more examples of using ingenuity to make the world a better place, take a look at the shortlist!

Check out the Shortlist

WSA's Young Innovators Award celebrates innovators who are no older than 26 and who are helping achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through the use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs). Like the WSA Global Award, the projects must be either on the market or market-ready. This year, WSA received over 740 applications from young innovators dedicated to digital innovation and solving pressing challenges from 100 countries worldwide.

These solutions went through a similar jury process as the WSA Global Award, but with a different set of Jurors who were selected specifically for the Young Innovators Award. The Online Jury went through all applicants and selected a shortlist of projects showcasing extraordinary ingenuity. After this, the Young Innovators Grand Jury convened to discuss the shortlist and select the final winners that you find before you.

Please welcome these innovators to the network of WSA winners.

WSA Young Innovators Winners of 2024

Acknowledging excellence beyond the Winners

This is the final list of the WSA Young Innovators Winners of 2024. However, this was a difficult choice, and many submissions were outstanding. The Young Innovators Shortlist includes many of these outstanding solutions.

Check out the Shortlist

I had the opportunity to attend the United Nations Internet Governance Forum (IGF) 2024, which took place from December 15th to 19th in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The event, themed "Building Our Multistakeholder Digital Future," focused on four key areas:

Harnessing innovation and balancing risks in the digital space

Enhancing the digital contribution to peace, development, and sustainability

Advancing human rights and inclusion in the digital age

Improving digital governance for the Internet We Want

This IGF was particularly significant as it followed the UN Summit of the Future and the adoption of the Pact for the Future and the Global Digital Compact (GDC) in September 2024.

The host country did an excellent job of organizing the event at the King Abdulaziz International Conference Center. While there were minor challenges, the overall execution was smooth and well-structured.

I was honored to be invited as a speaker and moderator in several panels and roundtable discussions, representing the Youth Coalition of Internet Governance, IGF Dynamic Coalitions, and the IGF MKD initiative. Below are the key sessions I participated in:

1. WS #227 - Sustainability and Data Protection in ESG Enhancement

As someone relatively new to the ESG domain, I contributed by providing insights from the private sector’s perspective. My focus was on how ESG changes impact businesses and how these shifts should be effectively governed to drive positive outcomes.

2. NS #95 - Friends for Internet: Creating a Better Digital World

In this session, I spoke extensively about online safety and cybersecurity, areas I have become increasingly involved in over the past few years. I highlighted the challenges children face online, particularly as social media platforms like TikTok introduce trends and challenges that many parents are not fully prepared to navigate.

3. Future of Education and Work in the Age of Advancing Technology & the Internet

I had the privilege of moderating this engaging panel, which featured outstanding speakers, including a representative from the Dynamic Teen Coalition. Their perspective was particularly valuable in underscoring the broad spectrum of youth experiences and the importance of including diverse age groups in discussions on digital education and the future of work.

As an Internet Society (ISOC) alumnus, I attended several networking events organized by ISOC. It was a pleasure to meet the new Youth Ambassadors and Early Career Fellows, as well as to reconnect with fellow alumni from around the world. A highlight of the event was meeting Sally Wentworth, President of ISOC, and discussing the organization’s action plan and the future of the IGF and the Internet.

Additionally, I attended multiple sessions with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and WSIS+20, contributing to discussions on the roadmap for the IGF. During the opening session, ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin delivered a keynote speech, and as ITU Generation Connect EUR-Envoy Alumni, we engaged in discussions about our activities, action points for the coming year, and how youth can play a more active role in decision-making processes—especially in the lead-up to WSIS+20, the AI for Good Summit, and IGF 2025.

Another enriching experience was meeting Kuruthumu Kasenya, a fellow WSA Youth Ambassador. Together, we attended various sessions, exchanged insights, and shared updates with the WSA community.

Next year’s IGF will be held in Oslo, Norway, and will be a crucial milestone as it coincides with the twenty-year review of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS+20). The United Nations General Assembly will also assess the IGF’s mandate, making it an important forum for shaping the future of digital governance.

Attending IGF 2024 was an incredible and enriching experience. It marked my first visit to the Middle East, and I was captivated by the beauty of Saudi Arabia and the dynamic discussions at the forum. The event was a valuable platform for networking, collaboration, and laying the groundwork for future initiatives. I am optimistic that through collective efforts, we can build a more open, accessible, and secure Internet for all.

IGF 2024 Reports: https://intgovforum.org/en/content/igf-2024-outputs

WSIS+20: https://www.itu.int/net4/wsis/forum/2025/

IGF 2025: https://www.igf2025.no/

By Marko Paloski, WSA Youth Ambassador in North Macedonia.

On Saturday 21st of December 2024, I had the immense privilege of convening the WSA Nigeria Entrepreneurship & Innovation Conference, the first of its kind led by a WSA Youth Ambassador. Hosted at the prestigious University of Lagos, the conference brought together young innovators, industry leaders, and stakeholders to explore the transformative power of digital innovation under the theme "Promoting Digital Innovations Geared Towards Creating Sustainable Solutions."

The Event at a Glance

The conference was officially opened with remarks by Professor Ayodele Victoria Atsenuwa, the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Development Services) of the University of Lagos. In her inspiring address, she emphasized the institution’s unwavering commitment to supporting students with strong innovative ideas, noting the Vice Chancellor’s passion for digitalizing the university as a cornerstone for future-ready graduates.

The event was preceded by a 3-day virtual boot camp designed to prepare entrepreneurs and innovators with practical, hands-on sessions on product ideation, marketing strategies, financial management, branding, and pitching. Participants left equipped with actionable insights to refine and scale their innovations.

One of the distinguished guests was Mr. Emmanuel Amos, the WSA Eminent National Expert for Nigeria, who delivered an enlightening speech about the impactful work of the World Summit Awards (WSA) in identifying and promoting digital innovations that address pressing societal challenges. His insights further emphasized the importance of youth-driven solutions in advancing sustainable development.

The conference featured two engaging panel discussions:

"Building Ecosystems of Impact: The Strategic Role of Innovation and Incubation Hubs in Sustainable Development."

Speakers included Professor Sunday Adebisi, Associate Professor Olayinka Adewunmi, Associate Professor Victor Odumuyiwa, and Associate Professor Chika Yinka-Banjo, who underscored the critical role of hubs in fostering collaboration and driving sustainable development.

"Nigeria’s Startup Ecosystem: Leveraging Investment for Sustainable Scalability and Global Competitiveness."

Panelists such as Nwanne Nwonwu, Taiwo Adegbulugbe, Solomon Ayodele, and Kene Egbue shared strategies for navigating the challenges of scaling startups while staying globally competitive.

Another highlight of the conference was the Innovation Pitch Contest, where six finalists—CrestStudy, Varsigram, Apere, VerionX, Farmeley, and Aptconnect—showcased their groundbreaking ideas. CrestStudy, an innovative EdTech platform, was crowned the winner, exemplifying how youth-led ventures are addressing societal challenges through technology.

The State of Youth Innovation in Nigeria

Nigeria’s youthful population is its greatest asset, brimming with untapped potential for innovation and entrepreneurship. However, systemic challenges such as limited funding, mentorship gaps, and infrastructural barriers persist. Despite these obstacles, young Nigerians continue to demonstrate remarkable resilience, leveraging digital tools to create scalable, impactful solutions. Platforms like WSA and this conference provide critical support to nurture and elevate these talents.

Key Insights and Takeaways

• Collaborative Ecosystems Matter: The discussions underscored the need for synergy between academia, industry, and policymakers to create a conducive environment for innovation.
• Empowering Innovators: Initiatives like the pre-event boot camp highlight the importance of capacity building, ensuring that youth are equipped with the skills to succeed.
• Global Perspective, Local Impact: The emphasis on leveraging digital innovations for local solutions with global relevance aligns perfectly with the WSA’s mission.
• Teamwork Drives Success: The dedication and hard work of the planning team and volunteers were instrumental in making the conference a resounding success.

Reflections

As a WSA Youth Ambassador, organizing this conference has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my journey. The passion and drive displayed by participants, coupled with the expertise shared by speakers and panelists, reaffirmed my belief in the potential of youth-led innovation to address societal challenges. I must also take a moment to commend the unwavering dedication and commitment of my team, whose efforts in initiating, planning, and executing this conference were nothing short of extraordinary.

A Call to Action

It is imperative for all stakeholders—governments, private entities, and international organizations—to invest in young innovators. By fostering a supportive ecosystem, we can empower the next generation to lead transformative change and drive sustainable development.

A thriving tech hub

Hyderabad, the capital of Telangana and India’s fourth-largest city, is a major economic and technology powerhouse. Home to the sixth-largest urban economy in India, the city has experienced rapid growth since the late 1990s, when the Hi-Tech City (HITEC City) was developed to support its booming IT industry. Today, Hyderabad hosts major global tech companies, including Microsoft, Google, Amazon, Facebook, Deloitte, and Accenture, earning it the nickname “Cyberabad.”

The WSA Global Congress will take place at T-Hub, India’s largest startup incubator. Since its inception in 2015, T-Hub has supported over 2,000 startups, providing access to talent, investors, government agencies, and cutting-edge technology.

What to see?

Besides its bustling tech scene, Hyderabad also has a lot of gorgeous things to see. The Old City has a variety of architectural wonders from the Qutb Shahi dynasty, including the Mecca Masjid, the Gulzar Houz Fountain, Char Kaman and of course the iconic Charminar (literally: ‘four minarets”). Fans of history would also enjoy the Telangana State Archaeology Museum, and fans of humungous statues might enjoy the 18 meter Buddha Statue of Hyderabad that sits on an island in the middle of Hussain Sagar.

What to eat?

Like much of India, Hyderabad’s cuisine is excellent – particularly for those who enjoy having their palettes blasted with a potent variety spices and peppers. Hyderabad has their own local spin on the Samosa, which has a thicker crust and usually a minced meat filling. Hyderabadi Biryani is also popular in the area. This dish is spicier and more flavorful than the typical Biryani.

Hyderabad is definitely a city worth seeing not only for its modern tech ecosystem, but also for its ancient history and culture. WSA hopes to welcome you warmly to Hyderabad for the Global Congress on April 6^th!

Special Chief Secretary, IT & EC, Government of Telangana

The Government of Telangana is proud to host the World Summit Awards (WSA) Global Congress 2025 in Hyderabad, India. This prestigious global event celebrates the transformative power of digital innovation and its impact on addressing societal challenges.

India has emerged as a global leader in digital transformation, with technology driving economic growth and fostering inclusivity. Telangana has been at the forefront of this journey, building citizen-centric and accountable digital governance models. Our pioneering initiatives in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and other emerging technologies underscore our commitment to creating a resilient and inclusive tech ecosystem.

The WSA Global Congress 2025, themed “Digital, Democracy & Us: Impact Solutions for Global Challenges,” highlights the role of technology in strengthening democratic values and addressing critical global issues. Hyderabad, a vibrant hub of innovation and entrepreneurship, serves as the ideal venue for this thought-provoking and solution-oriented gathering.

On this platform, India and Telangana are proud to present “Digital Sangam: Where Citizens Meet Digital Design”, a grand expo showcasing our digital development journey. The term "Sangam," meaning confluence, signifies the seamless integration of technology with citizen-centric solutions. This exhibition will highlight transformative innovations and Telangana's progress in building an inclusive digital future.

This year, we are excited to host 40 WSA winners alongside 400+ start-ups, social entrepreneurs, and experts from over 80 countries. The Congress will provide a platform for exchanging ideas, sharing best practices, and co-creating sustainable solutions for a digitally inclusive future.

The WSA Global Congress 2025 promises to be a transformative milestone in advancing global digital innovation and solving real-world challenges. We warmly welcome you to Hyderabad to be part of this inspiring global dialogue.

After the WSA Young Innovators Online Jury had evaluated over a hundred submissions from around the world and created the shortlist, it was time for the WSA Young Innovators Grand Jury to convene and make the final step – choose the winners.  

Over the past two weeks, sixteen members of the Grand Jury evaluated and compared the 24 shortlisted solutions from 20 countries around the globe. To ensure a fair evaluation, members of the Young Innovators Grand Jury come from different regions of the globe, representing different countries and backgrounds. Among the Jury were WSA network members, WSA alumni, startup experts, and young social entrepreneurs. You can find out more about each WSA Young Innovators Grand Jury member by clicking on their profile below.  

Meet the Jurors

Digital Democracy & Us: Impact Solutions for Global Challenges

Where: T-Hub - Hyderabad, India

When: April 6 - 9, 2025

The WSA Global Congress in Hyderabad was a confluence of people tackling some of the world’s most pressing challenges—from digital divides to data governance and democracy. It brought together a global community of social entrepreneurs using digital technology to drive positive change, one solution at a time.

This gathering offered a unique platform for participants to share ideas on global social issues, gain direct exposure to innovators, government officials, and private sector leaders, and engage in deep, eye-level exchanges with a diverse, multi-stakeholder community.

Participants also benefited from learning directly from Indian ecosystem partners about the country’s thriving digital and IT infrastructure, while exploring Hyderabad’s buzzing innovation scene.

View Photos

Key topics

Winners

Program Flow

View Photos

Global Champions

Key Participants

Digital Sangam

Partners

A Welcome Note

Why Hyderabad?

Statements

Key Topics

Digital Democracy

Citizen Participation, Access, and Transparency

Digital tools are transforming how we engage with governance, offering new ways to amplify voices, access information, and participate in decision-making. Yet, it also raises critical questions: How do echo chambers shape public opinion? Can we safeguard privacy and trust in the face of data misuse? What happens to democracy when millions lack digital access?
Join for bold discussions, discover best practice solutions and learn from international experts.

It's in our hands

Data, Digital Divides, Ethics

The digital world is a reflection of our choices—how we manage data, uphold sovereignty, and define ethical boundaries. Are we building systems that empower people or reinforce control? Who owns our digital identities, and how do we ensure fairness in an interconnected age?

Impact Solutions

Social Entrepreneurship, UN SDGs, ESGs

How can digital innovation address the world’s toughest challenges? From climate action to social equity, health, education or inclusion. Discover global best practices and connect with global changemakers and innovation experts.

Winners

Program flow

WSA Global Congress Evolving Program by WSA

Photos

102 submissions, 47 jurors, 4 weeks – and the results are in!

Over the last weeks, the WSA Young Innovators Online Jury put their heads together to evaluate all digital solutions submitted to the competition, analyse their impact and choose the ones making the biggest contribution to the UN SDGs. The competition was fierce and the choice tough – but the decision has been made, and the shortlist is ready to be announced.

This year, 24 digital solutions driving change in communities all over the globe have been chosen by the Jury for the WSA Young Innovators Shortlist. In the next step, the Young Innovators Grand Jury will evaluate the shortlist to make an even tougher decision – choose the five WSA Young Innovators 2024.

The shortlisted solutions range from helping former prisoners successfully reenter the workforce, through leveraging gamification to enhance learning, to fighting online misogyny. Would you like to be inspired by the imagination and resilience of youth all over the world?

Find out who made it to the 2024 Young Innovators shortlist and learn more about them through the links below!

• joinfloat | Austria

• Dark Kak | Bangladesh

• Clever Simulations | Cameroon

• Telemedan | Chad

• Little Mermaid | Egypt

• Afriwork | Ethiopia

• SEAVIUM | France

• Userwill GmbH | Germany

• RESQ | Kazakhstan

• Lifesten Health | Kenya

• Shukran | Kenya

• BuzzLoop | Malaysia

• Nepal Climate Hub | Nepal

• VoiceValor | Nepal

• Schoovir | Nigeria

• Smokeless Briqs | Nigeria

• Tesoros Literarios | Peru

• LifeLine | Rwanda

• Jalan Journey | Singapore

• Palumba | Spain

• Lankan Legacy | Sri Lanka

• RAIN | Sri Lanka

• 3D PulmoSIM | Turkey

• Outside Connection | USA

It's the season to announce the WSA Shortlist 2024! After an evaluation by the online jury, these purpose-driven solutions have been selected as the finalists for the WSA Award. All of them create positive impact in their local communities through digital innovation and contribute to the UN Sustainable Development Goals. This year’s shortlist features 133 solutions from 63 countries. This shortlist also includes the future winners, whom we will all have the opportunity to celebrate at the upcoming Global Congress! Stay tuned to find out who among these noteworthy projects will be pitching on a global stage at the WSA Global Congress in Hyderabad India!

Click here to view the full PDF.

This week marked the start of the first stage of the Young Innovators Award Jury process — the Online Jury. With a focus on inclusivity and fairness, the Young Innovators Award ensures that the most impactful and diverse digital solutions are recognized on a global stage. Once a solution is submitted, it undergoes a multi-stage evaluation process to contend for the title of Young Innovators Award Winner.

The Young Innovators Award Jury Process:

1. Application Process: The youth category invites open applications. Once applications are submitted, they enter the official Online Jury process.
2. The Online Jury: International experts review all eligible entries, evaluating their innovation and impact. This phase narrows down the pool, selecting 20 to 30 standout solutions to form the Young Innovators Shortlist.
3. The Grand Jury: Shortlisted solutions advance to a second panel of jurors. This stage, also held online, is what determines the Young Innovators Winners who will be invited to the WSA Global Congress.
4. Announcement & Global Congress: Winners are publicly announced and personally notified. They are then invited to the WSA Global Congress in Hyderabad, where they pitch their solutions to an on-site Jury panel. The ultimate Global Champion is revealed during closing ceremonies of the Global Congress.

The Online Jury Stage

The Online Jury stage is conducted by a diverse group of international experts. These professionals, with their insights and expertise, play an important role in identifying the most impactful digital solutions.

Meet The Decision Makers:

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The European Young Innovators Festival (EYIF) in Graz wasn't another bland, LinkedIn fodder tech event. With a vibrant mix of young minds from across the globe, the festival provided a unique platform to share ideas, forge connections, and co-create sustainable solutions. Through the reflections of some of the WSA Youth Ambassadors who attended, we delve into what made this event so special.

Philippine LECLERC, WSA Youth Ambassador 

Last month I had the chance to participate in the EYI Festival in Graz. And I truly want to emphasize the word “chance”. 

How often do you get the opportunity to meet people your age, working in the same field, sharing the same values, and genuinely caring about getting to know you? From my experience, not that often. And yet, this is exactly what WSA offered us: a time and place to connect and build a sustainable future together. 

A festival dedicated to youth has a unique dynamic. There are no barriers between attendees based on age, roles, or professional backgrounds; we all sit at the same table. This is a tech event where we exchange Instagrams before Linkedin profiles and where everyone is an active participant. It’s a conference where you can easily  relate  to the speakers on stage because they’re not much older than you. They address topics that are part of your daily-life and work concerns. Together, you work side by side, reflecting on issues that directly impact you and your communities. 

A human-centric tech event, this is exactly what EYIF was. 

One of the most impactful moments for me was participating in a fishbowl about Women in Tech. This topic is very close to my heart and I was thrilled to have a say in the debate. Even now, I’m left questioning gender roles in the workplace, how systemic patriarchy has shaped our approach to entrepreneurship and how we can collectively reframe these systems to create more equitable opportunities. I’m also very grateful to have been invited to reflect collectively about what Europeans values are, and how I can protect them. Freedom of movement, freedom of speech, diversity, democracy, rule of law. Staying curious. Voting. Getting involved… We often forget how privileged we are to live in the EU. This exercise was a gentle reminder that we are responsible for the safety of our EU.  Being intellectually challenged like this felt good! And finally, I’m so happy to have witnessed the Young Europeans Innovators and the Univation Students pitch. Their passion and creativity reminded me how powerful youth-driven solutions can be. Judging both competitions was deeply humbling, they were just so incredible.   

Now that I'm back home, I’m actively seeking ways to keep this momentum going and I’m also wondering how I can give back to WSA for these magic moments they offered us. Staying connected with my fellow Young Ambassadors is one way I plan to do this. I’m confident that together, we can translate WSA’s vision into meaningful actions within our own communities. 

Marko Paloski, WSA Youth Ambassador

It was my first time participating in the WSA European Young Innovators Festival in Graz, and it was an amazing experience. It is a great place to meet and engage with the WSA community, everyone was so open, positive, and ready to make new connections and maybe even an innovation. It was filled with young people from almost all parts of the world to share ideas, enthusiasm, challenges, and solutions on different topics but with one goal - to change the world with digital and sustainable innovations. I met many young and more experienced minds, and I also met a lot of Macedonian participants, which turned out to be a fruitful experience and plan for some activities in our community back home. The best part was the pitch competition, where as part of the jury team it was not easy to select the two best Champions, because all of those innovations play a significant role in each of the communities that they serve, and all of them are innovating the way we live, work and think. The program was very good and packed, it had enough time for discussion and Q&A and was very in line with the trends that are currently happening in the digital and entrepreneurship world.

Overall, the whole experience was more than amazing! I did not expect that, but the community plays a very big role in bringing the whole experience to the next level. I would be very happy if I would be able to join the festival again next year!

Kudos to the whole organizing team of WSA, for making one of the best events this year!

The EYI Festival in Graz was a testament to the power of youth-driven innovation and collaboration. For the youth ambassadors, it was more than an event; it was a call to action, a space to challenge norms, and an opportunity to build a better future together. Their shared experiences underscore the importance of fostering such inclusive and impactful platforms. As they return to their communities, they carry with them the festival’s vision, ready to inspire change and keep the momentum alive.

Register for the WSA Award Ceremony on 16/1/25
Social Hub Vienna, Nordbahnstraße 47, 1020 Wien, Österreich

With the closing of The European Young Innovators Festival 2024, the jury selected what they deemed to be the strongest two projects from among the European Young Innovators of 2024. The choice wasn't easy; the EYIF jury had the challenging task of evaluating exceptional projects from across Europe, each making significant contributions to society through innovation and purpose-driven solutions. But in the end, Sign Avatar and Independo stood out not only for their visionary concepts but also for their ability to address pressing societal challenges with tangible impact.

Sign Avatar | Serbia

Sign Avatar stood out among the European Young Innovators for their approach to empowering individuals in the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing community. By leveraging AI technology, Sign Avatar creates virtual avatars capable of translating sign language in real time, bridging communication gaps and fostering inclusivity. This project is sure to make life much easier for a large portion of the population, earning it a spot on the European Young Innovators Champions.

Independo | Austria

Independo impressed the jury with its forward-thinking solution for promoting independent living among the elderly and individuals with disabilities. By combining smart home technology with user-centric design, Independo enables users to maintain autonomy while staying safe and connected. The project's focus on dignity, innovation, and scalability set it apart as a true game-changer that will make life much easier for Europe's growing elderly population.

These projects will now be included in the WSA Network, and given the opportunity to learn from all the other winners, national experts and stakeholders that form the knowledge society of the WSA. Through their creative solutions - these projects are creating a more inclusive world for Europeans.

With technology moving at such a pace, who can say what kind of innovative projects WSA will be celebrating next year? Mark your calendars for the European Young Innovators Festival 2025!

Learn more

The European Young Innovators Festival 2024 in Graz, Austria, was a celebration of innovation, collaboration, and societal impact. Among the many standout moments of the event was UniVation, an international entrepreneurship program by the WSA that empowers students to tackle real-world challenges through purpose-driven tech ventures.

What is UniVation?

UniVation at the EYIF 2024

UniVation played a key role in this years EYIF, with students from both program phases coming together to present their solutions. The culmination of months of hard work was showcased as student teams pitched their ideas to an international jury of experts. The event highlighted the transformative power of student-driven innovation, bridging diverse cultural, regional, and economic perspectives to address global challenges.

Participating Universities

The Universities that participated were:

• FH Campus 02
• FH Joanneum
• FH Kiel
• Laboratorium Tuzla
• Ss. Cyril and Methodius University Skopje

And the Winners Are…

The following three emerged as the winners of UniVation 2024:

The Independo team was made up of students from FH Joanneum and FH Campus 02; and demonstrated exceptional marketing savvy.

The Language Supp team was also made up of students from FH Joanneum and FH Campus 02. The elegance of their solutions was in its simplicity.

The Roommate team was also made up of students from FH Joanneum and FH Campus 02. Their suggestions were very realistic to implement for the Roommate team.

These winning teams demonstrated exceptional creativity, technical skill, and a deep commitment to societal impact, embodying the ethos of both UniVation and the European Young Innovators Festival.

Congratulations to the winning teams and all participants for their outstanding contributions to this year’s event! Stay tuned as UniVation and the European Young Innovators Festival pave the way for even greater impact in 2025.

Learn more